THE CYPRESS SUB-FAMILY. 



303 



than its parent, although not sufficiently so for our more 

 northern States. The form is compact and globular, the 

 color a lively yellowish green, and the foliage more deli- 

 cate in texture than the species. Its maximum height 



will perhaps not ex- 

 ceed six feet. A 

 specimen in our own 

 collection, (see fig- 

 ure 47), which is 

 probably one of the 

 oldest in the country, 

 is over five feet high, 

 and a perfect model 

 of beauty. An ob- 

 jectionable feature 

 in this plant is its 

 liability to lose the 

 lower branches and 

 foliage, Avhich great- 

 ly disfigures its ap- 

 pearance ; this es- 

 pecially occurs when 

 planted in unsuit- 



Fig. 48. BIOTA ORIENTALIS, VAR. AUREA. 



able soil. 



Var. Sieboldii, Endlicher. Syn. B. Japonica, Siebold ; 

 B. orientalis nana, Carrtere, &c., &c. A pretty little 

 dwarf variety, with a round, compact form, and bright 

 green color. We have imported a IB. Japonica from Bel- 

 gium which is quite distinct from this plant, having a 

 fastigiate tendency, instead of a globular form. On account 

 of the peculiar branchlets and leaves of this variety, the 

 Japanese have given it the name of "Peacock's Tail." 



Var, rariegata aurea, Carriere. This very pretty 

 plant originated, we believe, in the collection of M. Dau- 

 vesse, at Orleans, France, and was discovered in a bed of 



